# 1091 - O Canada - Part 18

ronaldoavelino (80)in #silvergoldstackers • 3 years ago

The info below comes from the Royal Canadian Mint's COA (Certificate of Authenticity) of this coin or from the book Canadian Collector Coins, vol 2, 8th Edition, by M. Drake or https://en.numista.com/ , or https://www.wikipedia.org/.

In 2013 and 2014 the Royal Canadian Mint issued the series "O Canada" in two sets, focusing on iconic images celebrating all that makes Canada unique.

I will show you now the "O Canada Set One". As my collection is in different places and in different countries, sometimes I can't find an specific coin. That is the case of the Set One, that was spread too much and I could not find all the coins.

The eighteenth coin is the 2013 CAD $10 "The Orca".

It weights 15.87g with 99.99% silver purity and Matte Proof finish. Its mintage was 30,834 units and the issue price was CAD $39.95.

The orca is one of the planet's most uniquely social mammals. Only elephants and higher primates have societies that are as complex and robust as that of the orca. This marine mammal's social structure, which some researchers refer to as a "culture," reveals familial bonds, modes of communication, hunting habits and other practices that are passed on for generations.

The reverse was designed by Canadian artist Pierre Leduc and engraved by Alex Tirabasso. It portrays a side view of a powerful breaching orca. Facing toward the left side of the coin, the massive sea mammal is entirely outside of the water with the exception of its tail. Its tall dorsal fin and muscular body convey the sense of its exceptional size and strength. The expertly engraved image reveals the orca's distinctive markings to stunning effect, from the light eye patch above its left eye to the distinctive underbody and saddle markings of the species. Water washes away from the orca's body in torrents as it lifts itself from its fluid domain. In the background we see the Northwest Pacific coast with its rocky shoreline and tall, majestic evergreens.